What is the Suffolk & Norfolk Secondary SCITT Salaried PGCE?

Secondary SCITT Salaried is an exciting and innovative Initial Teacher Training route that operates in Suffolk, Norfolk and neighbouring counties. The programme attracts a wide variety of graduates into the teaching profession, including those seeking a career change. Many, though not all, of those who train via this route already have significant school experience.

Why choose Suffolk & Norfolk Secondary SCITT Salaried PGCE?

There are a number of specific reasons for choosing this particular route to train as a teacher:

Quality: Our Secondary SCITT Salaried leadership, rated outstanding by Ofsted, is committed to providing the highest standard of training in order to produce highly skilled new entrants to the teaching profession.

Centre training: Secondary SCITT Salaried trainees receive core and subject knowledge training on one day per week throughout the training period. The high quality of our training provision has been recognised by Ofsted and by our trainees. You will receive at least six subject knowledge days led by a specialist.

Costs: Our employment-based route offers you the unique opportunity to earn a salary as you train to teach. There are no tuition fees.

‘Hands-on’ Experience: As a Secondary SCITT Salaried trainee you will become part of a team of experienced professionals in a school from the start of the academic year and will, therefore, benefit from opportunities to work and learn alongside experienced teachers. Former trainees identify this as a particular strength: ‘On the job training is the best way to find out what works in practice’. Ofsted inspectors identified trainees’ ‘confidence and authority in the classroom’ as a key strength of our provision.

Qualifications: In partnership with The University of Suffolk (UoS), we are able to offer the option of a PGCE and 60 Master’s level credits at reasonable cost (currently £300).

Outcomes: These have been consistently high over the past three years with 62% of our trainees achieving a grade of ‘outstanding’ and close to 100% a grade of ‘good’ or better.

Future Employment: Over the past three years close to 100% of our Secondary SCITT Salaried trainees have secured employment, many within our partnership schools.

How does the Secondary SCITT Salaried PGCE programme operate?

Secondary SCITT Salaried is an employment-based route into teaching supported by a National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) grant. Funding is currently available for the following subjects:

You will spend four days each week working within your placement school and one day each week in central training. You will receive a full-time salary for 9.5 months at point one of the unqualified teacher scale or above. You will contribute to the cost of your training either by undertaking a limited teaching commitment each week or by providing some supply cover within your placement school as you become more experienced. Within your placement school you will gain further classroom experience by gradually taking over responsibility for additional lessons in the course of the year under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Your maximum timetable commitment in term three will be between 11 and 13 hours per week. Higher salary levels are available for suitably qualified candidates who are able to undertake a greater teaching timetable from the start of their training year. See finances page for further details.

You will spend four days each week working within your placement school and one day each week in central training. You will receive a 0.7 (fte) salary for 9.5 months at point one of the unqualified teacher scale. You will contribute to the cost of your training either by undertaking a limited teaching commitment each week or by providing some supply cover within your placement school as you become more experienced. Within your placement school you will gain further classroom experience by gradually taking over responsibility for additional lessons in the course of the year under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Your maximum timetable commitment in term three will be between 11 and 13 hours per week.

Two year part-time training option:

From September 2017, working in partnership with Kesgrave High School, we are offering a part time training route for all high priority subjects and for English. This route is directed particularly at career changers and will offer the opportunity to phase in your training combining it with other employment or with child-care responsibilities.
On the part time route you will receive one day per week of core and subject knowledge training during your first year and two days of school experience. During your second year you will spend three days per week in school with your own limited teaching timetable. Contact our salaried office or come to one of our information evenings in order to discuss whether this training option may be suitable for you.

Other secondary subjects:

There is currently no NCTL funding available. Secondary SCITT Salaried training is, however, available on a school funded basis in these other subjects. If you are currently employed within a school and have some teaching experience, you should discuss school funded training options with your Headteacher before sumitting an application.

You will spend four days each week working within your placement school and one day each week in central training. You will contribute to the cost of your training either by undertaking a limited teaching commitment each week or by providing some supply cover within your placement school as you become more experienced. Within your placement school you will gain further classroom experience by gradually taking over responsibility for additional lessons in the course of the year under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Your maximum timetable commitment in term three will be between 11 and 13 hours per week.

Click on finances to find out about salary and other financial aspects of the course.

Where will I train?

Central training:
Induction days and some core training will be held at Norwich Professional Development Centre.

Suffolk Secondary SCITT Salaried core training will be largely based at Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge.
Norfolk Secondary SCITT Salaried core training is shared between Notre Dame High School, Aylsham High School and Lynn Grove High School in Gorleston.

Subject knowledge training (minimum six days) will be provided at a range of different locations across the two counties.

Main Placement Schools:
Secondary SCITT Salaried has developed a strong partnership with more than 100 high achieving schools across the two counties and beyond. You will apply for a Secondary SCITT Salaried place through one of our Lead Schools and you will normally be placed within a consortium school which is linked to this Lead School. We will seek to place you in a partnership school which is within a reasonable travelling time from your home address. In your application, you will have the opportunity to identify a specific school where you would like to undertake your training. You do not, however, have to have strong links with a school in order to apply.
For a list of lead schools and other partnership schools, please click on Secondary SCITT Salaried partnership schools

Second School Experience:
You will be issued with a contract of employment by your main placement school who will release you for between four and six weeks during term two in order to undertake a period of experience within a contrasting school.

How will I be supported?

By the Secondary SCITT Salaried team: ‘The programme leader, senior trainer, senior mentors/ trainers and the quality assurance group make a very strong and cohesive team’ (Ofsted report, June 2013).

Through a full programme of induction: you will receive five full days of induction before the course begins in order to ensure that you are properly prepared for the work you will be undertaking within the classroom.

By your SCITT Tutor: You will be allocated a SCITT Tutor who will meet with you in June/July 2017 to conduct an individual needs assessment and who will then support you throughout your training. You will receive at least six visits from your SCITT Tutor who will also provide guidance and support by telephone and e-mail.

By your School Mentor: You will have a weekly meeting with your mentor to set clear targets and action points and to monitor your progress on the course. You will be observed teaching at least once per week with written feedback on the SCITT lesson observation pro-forma.

By core and subject knowledge trainers: In our recent exit questionnaire, trainees consistently rate the support they receive through their Thursday training very highly.

How will I be assessed?

Using the Teachers’ Standards: In order to achieve QTS, you will be assessed against parts one and two of the Teachers’ Standards including the eight separate standard in part one. These eight standards cover a range of key professional competencies including subject knowledge, lesson planning, behaviour management and assessment.

By Key Stage and subject: All Secondary SCITT Salaried trainees are assessed across two consecutive key stages and secondary trainees are assessed in one main subject area.

Through a process of continuous assessment: Your School Mentor will use their lesson observations of your teaching and their meetings with you in order to track your progress on our Teachers’ Standards Assessment Grid. In the course of your training you will be supported in compiling a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that you have met the requirements of the Teachers’ Standards in full.

Your SCITT Tutor will work with your School Mentor in order to conduct formal assessments at three separate points in the year.

Your final grade will be determined by the SCITT Salaried Assessment Board which will take the full range of evidence into account in order to reach a judgement.

You will be required to submit two written assignments in the course of the year. Those who opt for PGCE/M level credits will need to submit one additional assignment.

What do former trainees say?

‘A fantastic course. My school placements have been great and I can’t wait to start my teaching career’

‘I was apprehensive about switching careers....but one year on I now know that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made’

‘I will start my new job in September confident, knowing who I am as a teacher and being ready to adapt to any circumstances’

‘The fantastic training and the opportunity to meet with friends every Thursday has kept me going.’

‘My SCITT Tutor has always been willing to go the extra mile in order to help me.’

What do Ofsted inspectors say?

‘Secondary Salaried trainees are confident practitioners with authority and presence in the classroom. Their lively and engaging teaching promotes pupils’ and students’ good behaviour and attitudes to learning.’

‘Trainees use a good range of teaching approaches to gain pupils’ and students’ interest and to develop their understanding and skills. They have good subject knowledge which they use well in planning lessons and learning activities. Their professional attitudes and behaviour, and enthusiasm for teaching, are highly regarded in their schools.’

‘The provider and the teachers it supplies, are held in very high regard across the region.’